First Ever Big Give San Antonio Set To Help Local Nonprofits

Mayor Julián Castro at The Big Give press conference on Tuesday, April 22.

Credit Nathan Cone / TPR

In just 24 hours, hundreds of local nonprofits around town hope to raise $1 million in a combined effort to raise awareness about the work and mission of each organization.

The Big Give SA is set for May 6. Beginning at midnight to midnight the next day, residents are encourage to log on to TheBigGiveSA.org to donate a minimum of $10 to any of the 467 nonprofits participating.

A coalition of representatives from the various nonprofits gathered on the steps of City Hall Tuesday to make the announcement and garner excitement about the first-of-its-kind fundraising event in San Antonio.

Mayor Julián Castro and a handful of city council members joined in to spread the message. Castro issued a challenge for every person to do their part.

"Whether you give at 6 o'clock at night or 6 o'clock in the morning, give something on May 6. Let's make The Big Give SA the most successful give in all the United States," he told the crowd.

To make a fun contest out of it, local businesses are pitching in a total of $224,000, which will go to three charter schools and will be used as challenge money for the nonprofits that gain the most donations for one hour, and other goals.

The San Antonio Area Foundation will not be participating in The Big Give because workers will be helping coordinate the event for other nonprofits. Area Foundation CEO Dennis Noll said there is a misconception among people about giving.

"A lot of people think that giving to charities is something that only a certain group of people do, or only wealthy people do. It's just not true," he said. "Our entire community needs to support these non-profits and support our entire community."

Disclosure Note: Texas Public Radio is one of the participating non-profits.

The San Antonio Food Bank has been named one of the top 10 charities in the nation based on financial health, transparency and accountability, and results. Watchdog group Charity Navigator named it one of its "10 Top-Notch Charities."

A local organization is asking for donations of clothing this month to help men and women find jobs.

Dress for Success and Career Gear San Antonio are asking for donations of suits and business attire that can be worn for job interviews. Dress for Success San Antonio was founded to offer economic, social, and professional services to help women get back on their feet. It provides computer classes, help with resume preparation, financial planning education and clothing for getting back to work.

If you’ve been meaning to, but haven't quite got around to seeing "The Nutcracker" this year, you’ve got one more chance at the Majestic Theatre. The Moscow Ballet returns to San Antonio to perform the ballet on Monday night.

"It’s more than my job, it’s my life," said the ballet’s Natalie Miroshnyk, who is also the audition director that chose the San Antonio children who perform parts with the Moscow Ballet in the production.

Toni picks up her supply of food for the week, but this time she's picking up something extra -- a Christmas tree. She and many more existing clients of the Baptist Temple got the chance to pick out a tree to go along with their holiday meal.

"Some mac and cheese there, there's some rice, and each one of them is different, but we try to make sure that there's some vegetables, some protein," said George Zayas Bazan, the pastor at Baptist Temple. Zayas Bazan said the San Antonio Food Bank distributes food in bulk twice a month -- 16,000 pounds worth.